Drain Cleaner

ABSTRACT

A drain cleaner includes a shank, a clearing member connected with the shank, a support pipe allowing passage of the clearing member, a handgrip mounted on the support pipe, and a mounting sleeve mounted on the support pipe and connected with the handgrip. The support pipe has an upper end provided with a slit and a lower end provided with an arcuate portion and an extension. The handgrip is located outside of the support pipe and is provided with a slit. The mounting sleeve is located outside of the support pipe and is provided with a slit. The slit of the mounting sleeve is connected between the slit of the support pipe and the slit of the handgrip.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cleaning device and, more particularly, to a drain cleaner available for a toilet, urinal, kitchen, bathroom, sink, drain, waste pipe and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional toilet plunger comprises a semi-circular sucker and a handle mounted on the top face of the semi-circular sucker. When in use, the semi-circular sucker aligns and covers a drain (or trap) of a toilet. Then, the handle is pushed downward to press the semi-circular sucker and is then pulled upward to draw the semi-circular sucker. The above-mentioned steps are repeated successively, so that the semi-circular sucker is pressed and pulled reciprocally to change the water pressure in the drain of the toilet so as to squeeze the blockage jammed or choked in the drain of the toilet. However, the semi-circular sucker cannot cover the drain of the toilet completely so that the sealing effect of the semi-circular sucker is not sufficient, thereby failing the draining effect. A conventional drain snake comprises a handle and a flexible member connected with the handle. When in use, the user can hold the handle to extend the flexible member into an object, such as a toilet, sink, drain, waste pipe and the like, so as to clear and remove a blockage (such as hairs, excrement and the like) jammed in the object. However, the user has to operate and turn the drain snake manually, thereby causing inconvenience to the user, and thereby wasting the user's force and energy. In addition, the flexible member is connected with the handle by soldering so that the conventional drain snake is not assembled easily and quickly, thereby increasing the cost of assembly and fabrication. Further, the flexible member cannot be folded when not in use, thereby causing inconvenience in and increasing the costs of packaging, storage and carrying of the conventional drain snake.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a drain cleaner that can clear a blocked or choked drain quickly and efficiently.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a drain cleaner comprising a shank, a clearing member connected with the shank, a support pipe allowing passage of the clearing member, a handgrip mounted on the support pipe, and a mounting sleeve mounted on the support pipe and connected with the handgrip. The clearing member extends through an interior of the support pipe. The support pipe has an upper end provided with a slit which extends longitudinally. The slit of the support pipe has a width slightly greater than an outer diameter of the clearing member. The support pipe has a lower end provided with an arcuate portion and an extension. The arcuate portion of the support pipe is opened upward. The extension of the support pipe extends upward in an oblique manner. The handgrip is located outside of the support pipe and is provided with a slit which extends longitudinally. The slit of the handgrip has a width slightly greater than the outer diameter of the clearing member. The handgrip has a lower end provided with an external thread. The mounting sleeve is located outside of the support pipe and is provided with a slit which extends longitudinally. The slit of the mounting sleeve has a width slightly greater than the outer diameter of the clearing member. The mounting sleeve has an upper end provided with an internal thread screwed onto the external thread of the handgrip. The slit of the mounting sleeve is connected between the slit of the support pipe and the slit of the handgrip.

The shank has a first end provided with a shaft hole for mounting the clearing member and a second end provided with a driving portion. The first end of the shank has a periphery provided with a plurality of screw bores each connected to the shaft hole, and the drain cleaner further comprises a plurality of screws screwed into the screw bores of the shank and pressing the clearing member to lock the clearing member onto the shank. The clearing member has a first end provided with an insert inserted into and the shaft hole of the shank and locked by the screws. The clearing member has a second end provided with a drilling portion.

The driving portion of the shank is provided with a coupling which is adapted for being connected with a powered tool, so that the shank is driven and rotated by the powered tool so as to rotate the clearing member.

Alternatively, the driving portion of the shank is driven manually.

The clearing member is made of a metallic wire that is wound successively to form a hollow coiled body. The drilling portion of the clearing member is enlarged and has a conical spiral shape.

The mounting sleeve is rotatable relative to the handgrip between a first position where the slit of the mounting sleeve aligns with the slit of the support pipe and the slit of the handgrip, so that the slit of the support pipe, the slit of the handgrip and the slit of the mounting sleeve are interconnected, and a second position where the slit of the mounting sleeve misaligns with the slit of the support pipe and the slit of the handgrip, so that the mounting sleeve interrupts a connection between the slit of the support pipe and the slit of the handgrip.

According to the primary advantage of the present invention, the support pipe supports the clearing member to facilitate the clearing member extending to the drain of the toilet so that the drilling portion of the clearing member can clear the blockage easily and conveniently.

According to another advantage of the present invention, the clearing member can be removed outward from the support pipe, so that the clearing member can be further moved downward, and the drilling portion of the clearing member can be further extended deeply into the drain of the toilet to clear the blockage that is located deeply.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a partially perspective view of a drain cleaner in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the drain cleaner as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partially cross-sectional view of the drain cleaner as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partially perspective view of the drain cleaner in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the drain cleaner as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the drain cleaner as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a schematic operational view of the drain cleaner as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a schematic operational view of the drain cleaner as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing operation and usage of the drain cleaner in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic operational view of the drain cleaner as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is another cross-sectional view showing operation and usage of the drain cleaner in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-6, a drain cleaner in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a shank 10, a clearing member 20 connected with the shank 10, a support pipe 30 allowing passage of the clearing member 20, a handgrip 40 mounted on the support pipe 30, and a mounting sleeve 50 mounted on the support pipe 30 and connected with the handgrip 40.

The shank 10 has a first end provided with a shaft hole 12 for mounting the clearing member 20 and a second end provided with a driving portion. The first end of the shank 10 has a periphery provided with a plurality of screw bores 13 each connected to the shaft hole 12, and the drain cleaner further comprises a plurality of screws 14 screwed into the screw bores 13 of the shank 10 and pressing the clearing member 20 to lock the clearing member 20 onto the shank 10. The driving portion of the shank 10 is provided with a coupling 11 which is adapted for being connected with a powered tool 1 (see FIG. 9), such as an electric drill, so that the shank 10 is driven and rotated by the powered tool so as to rotate the clearing member 20. The shank 10 has a mediate portion provided with a through hole 15.

The clearing member 20 is elongated, hollow, bendable and flexible and can extend through an interior of the support pipe 30. The clearing member 20 is preferably made of a metallic wire that is wound successively to form a hollow coiled body. The clearing member 20 has a first end provided with an insert 21 inserted into and the shaft hole 12 of the shank 10 and locked by the screws 14. The clearing member 20 has a second end provided with a drilling portion 22 which is adapted for picking and dislodging a clog, blockage or stoppage (such as hairs, excrement and the like) in an object, such as a toilet 60 (see FIG. 9), sink, drain, waste pipe and the like. The drilling portion 22 of the clearing member 20 is enlarged and has a conical spiral shape.

The drain cleaner further comprises a connecting pin 16 extended through and mounted in the through hole 15 of the shank 10, and a hanging hook 17 connected with the connecting pin 16 for hooking the drilling portion 22 of the clearing member 20 so as to fold and reduce the volume of the clearing member 20. Thus, the drilling portion 22 of the clearing member 20 can be hooked onto the hanging hook 17 so that the clearing member 20 is bent and folded when not in use so as to reduce the whole volume of the drain cleaner.

The support pipe 30 has an upper end provided with a slit 31 which extends longitudinally. The slit 31 of the support pipe 30 has a width slightly greater than an outer diameter of the clearing member 20. The support pipe 30 has a lower end provided with an arcuate portion 32 and an extension 33. The arcuate portion 32 of the support pipe 30 is opened upward. The extension 33 of the support pipe 30 extends upward in an oblique manner.

The handgrip 40 is located outside of the support pipe 30 and is provided with a slit 41 which extends longitudinally. The slit 41 of the handgrip 40 has a width slightly greater than the outer diameter of the clearing member 20. The handgrip 40 has a lower end provided with an external thread 42.

The mounting sleeve 50 is located outside of the support pipe 30 and is provided with a slit 51 which extends longitudinally. The slit 51 of the mounting sleeve 50 has a width slightly greater than the outer diameter of the clearing member 20. The mounting sleeve 50 has an upper end provided with an internal thread 52 screwed onto the external thread 42 of the handgrip 40. The slit 51 of the mounting sleeve 50 is connected between the slit 31 of the support pipe 30 and the slit 41 of the handgrip 40.

In practice, the mounting sleeve 50 is rotatable relative to the handgrip 40 between a first position as shown in FIG. 7 where the slit 51 of the mounting sleeve 50 aligns with the slit 31 of the support pipe 30 and the slit 41 of the handgrip 40, so that the slit 31 of the support pipe 30, the slit 41 of the handgrip 40 and the slit 51 of the mounting sleeve 50 are interconnected, and a second position as shown in FIG. 8 where the slit 51 of the mounting sleeve 50 misaligns with the slit 31 of the support pipe 30 and the slit 41 of the handgrip 40, so that the mounting sleeve 50 interrupts a connection between the slit 31 of the support pipe 30 and the slit 41 of the handgrip 40.

In operation, referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 with reference to FIGS. 1-8, the arcuate portion 32 and the extension 33 of the support pipe 30 are initially inserted into a drain (trap or channel) 61 of the toilet 60 as shown in FIG. 9. Then, the coupling 11 of the shank 10 engages the powered tool 1 to connect the shank 10 with the powered tool 1, so that the shank 10 can be driven and rotated by the powered tool so as to rotate the clearing member 20. Then, the clearing member 20 is pushed downward so that the drilling portion 22 of the clearing member 20 protrudes outward from the extension 33 of the support pipe 30 and is extended into the drain 61 of the toilet 60 as shown in FIG. 10. Then, the powered tool 1 is started to rotate the clearing member 20 so that the drilling portion 22 of the clearing member 20 is turned and extended deeply into the drain 61 of the toilet 60 so as to pick and clear the blockage jammed in the drain 61 of the toilet 60. Then, the support pipe 30 is pulled outward to detach the drilling portion 22 of the clearing member 20 from the drain 61 of the toilet 60 so as to dislodge and remove the blockage from the drain 61 of the toilet 60.

Alternatively, referring to FIG. 11 with reference to FIGS. 1-8, the mounting sleeve 50 is rotated relative to the handgrip 40 to the first position as shown in FIG. 7 where the slit 51 of the mounting sleeve 50 aligns with the slit 31 of the support pipe 30 and the slit 41 of the handgrip 40, so that the slit 31 of the support pipe 30, the slit 41 of the handgrip 40 and the slit 51 of the mounting sleeve 50 are interconnected. In such a manner, the clearing member 20 is removed and exposed outward from the slit 31 of the support pipe 30, the slit 41 of the handgrip 40 and the slit 51 of the mounting sleeve 50, so that the powered tool 1 can be moved downward to further push the clearing member 20 downward. Thus, the drilling portion 22 of the clearing member 20 is further extended deeply into the drain 61 of the toilet 60 as shown in FIG. 11.

Accordingly, the support pipe 30 supports the clearing member 20 to facilitate the clearing member 20 extending to the drain 61 of the toilet 60 so that the drilling portion 22 of the clearing member 20 can clear the blockage easily and conveniently. In addition, the clearing member 20 can be removed outward from the support pipe 30, so that the clearing member 20 can be further moved downward, and the drilling portion 22 of the clearing member 20 can be further extended deeply into the drain 61 of the toilet 60 to clear the blockage that is located deeply. Further, the clearing member 20 is driven by the powered tool 1 so that the drain cleaner is operated automatically to clear and remove the blockage, thereby saving the user's energy and working time. Further, the drilling portion 22 of the clearing member 20 can be hooked onto the hanging hook 17 so that the clearing member 20 is bent and folded when not in use so as to reduce the whole volume of the drain cleaner, thereby facilitating packaging, storage and carrying of the drain cleaner.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention. 

1. A drain cleaner comprising: a shank; a clearing member connected with the shank; a support pipe allowing passage of the clearing member; a handgrip mounted on the support pipe; and a mounting sleeve mounted on the support pipe and connected with the handgrip; wherein: the clearing member extends through an interior of the support pipe; the support pipe has an upper end provided with a slit which extends longitudinally; the slit of the support pipe has a width slightly greater than an outer diameter of the clearing member; the support pipe has a lower end provided with an arcuate portion and an extension; the arcuate portion of the support pipe is opened upward; the extension of the support pipe extends upward in an oblique manner; the handgrip is located outside of the support pipe and is provided with a slit which extends longitudinally; the slit of the handgrip has a width slightly greater than the outer diameter of the clearing member; the handgrip has a lower end provided with an external thread; the mounting sleeve is located outside of the support pipe and is provided with a slit which extends longitudinally; the slit of the mounting sleeve has a width slightly greater than the outer diameter of the clearing member; the mounting sleeve has an upper end provided with an internal thread screwed onto the external thread of the handgrip; and the slit of the mounting sleeve is connected between the slit of the support pipe and the slit of the handgrip.
 2. The drain cleaner of claim 1, wherein: the shank has a first end provided with a shaft hole for mounting the clearing member and a second end provided with a driving portion; the first end of the shank has a periphery provided with a plurality of screw bores each connected to the shaft hole; the drain cleaner further comprises a plurality of screws screwed into the screw bores of the shank and pressing the clearing member to lock the clearing member onto the shank; the clearing member has a first end provided with an insert inserted into and the shaft hole of the shank and locked by the screws; and the clearing member has a second end provided with a drilling portion.
 3. The drain cleaner of claim 2, wherein the driving portion of the shank is provided with a coupling which is adapted for being connected with a powered tool, so that the shank is driven and rotated by the powered tool so as to rotate the clearing member.
 4. The drain cleaner of claim 2, wherein the driving portion of the shank is driven manually.
 5. The drain cleaner of claim 2, wherein the clearing member is made of a metallic wire that is wound successively to form a hollow coiled body, and the drilling portion of the clearing member is enlarged and has a conical spiral shape.
 6. The drain cleaner of claim 1, wherein the mounting sleeve is rotatable relative to the handgrip between a first position where the slit of the mounting sleeve aligns with the slit of the support pipe and the slit of the handgrip, so that the slit of the support pipe, the slit of the handgrip and the slit of the mounting sleeve are interconnected, and a second position where the slit of the mounting sleeve misaligns with the slit of the support pipe and the slit of the handgrip, so that the mounting sleeve interrupts a connection between the slit of the support pipe and the slit of the handgrip. 